The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-02-01
The Boston & Maine and Union
Depot Bills.

To the Editor Of the Press:
The Boston & Maine railroad is corpora
ton formed by the laws Of Massachusetts,,
Maine and New Hampshire, and not dis
tinct corporation in each State 1t therefore
requires concurrent legislation in all three
States when its general corporate powers
are modified
1t now virtually owns the Eastern railroad
and the roads which made up the Eastern
railroad system west of Portland.
1t and all interested $50 far as known wish
to change this uirtaal ownership to actual
ownership in the roads of which have
spoken; and it is asking such legislation of
the three States as will enable it to do so. if
the corporations interested consent thereto.
As all legislation of this character. so far as
Maine Is concerned, had to be applied for
before February LIST, the bill presented by
MIR. Manley was prepared in advance of its
presentation to the Legislature of Massa-
chusetts, to which a similar application will
at once be made.
The bill does not include the Maine Cen
trdt; ioos not intended to do so; and If it
did, ,poutd DC opposed By the management of
the Maine Central, so far as including that
railroad Is concerned.
1t is perfectly safe to say that the pro-
motors Of this bill WILL of their own motion,
SO amend the bill that the most ingenious
hair-splitter cannot claim that it includes the
Maine Central.
As to the Union Station bill, the Maine
central and the Boston d Maine companies
have, as is well known, purchased sufficient
real estate on Congress street for the cree
ton OF a union station, which they have the
power to erect, maintain and control for their
own convenience in the proper discharge Of
their corporate duties. The Maine Central
is extremely anxious to have the station
built at once: It is not quite so essential to
the Boston & Maine. The Maine Central
regards it of great Importance to itself and md
TO Portland, because it would give to its
passengers direct horse car connection ,cifh
the retail trade Of the city.
1t was deemed by the companies interested
that the station could be better and more
conveniently managed by an independent
corporation than by the two corporations
jointly, and for that purpose it was con-
cluded TO ask for charter for a corporation
which would have, so far as the management
OF the station is concerned, precisely the
same powers that the two corporations al
ready have, no more and no less. But it was
also considered that it is desirable to have
other railroad companies use the station, if
they should so wish and it could be so
agreed. The bill therefore provides that
that may be done, and the only provision in
the bill giving powers not already possessed
by the two companies is the one enabling
the other companies to take under the statute
land to provide for approaches to the station
and the necessary side tracks, etc.
This provision Of the bill should be scru-
tinized. However, the Portland & Rochester
company have already put in bill, satisfac-
tory 70 the city authorities, by which they
can attain the desired object. This leaves
| the Portland d Ogdensburg; and as this bill
contains the same provision in this respect
that the p. & r. bill contains, it is supposed
that it is satisfactory to the city. However,
IL IL IS not so, the. provisions will be struck
out of the bill, leaving it simply charter
for corporation with the same powers to
maintain and manage station, which the
two corporations which are to furnish the
money and build the station already have.
MAINE CENTRAL.